The teachers at ArtsEd are really caring and are always able to spot if we’re having a bad day. They’re always there for a chat – they’re like our family
ArtsEd Student
Student Welfare is a top priority at ArtsEd. We strive to create a happy, inclusive community which is supported by excellent pastoral care and a focus on physical health. We offer regular wellbeing presentations and workshops alongside a range of support networks to cover all of our students’ needs.
Many problems can be solved through talking to friends or family, to your Year Head, to your Personal Tutor, other tutors or student support. However, at times you may need to seek help away from your familiar day-to-day environment. Students can self-refer to ArtsEd’s Counselling Service, which offers confidential space for students to seek advice about their psychological wellbeing and to discuss matters that impact upon it.
Students may be offered 1-2-1 counselling, assistance with developing healthy coping techniques, support for understanding underlying issues and the development of a long-term management plan. Sessions are delivered online or in person at a time to suit you. Normally a maximum of six sessions is offered, but this may be extended in exceptional circumstances.
If longer-term therapy or specialist help is needed, referrals can be made via your GP to agencies within the community, or to services within the NHS. We can also provide information and advice about how to find a private counsellor or therapist. First year students are given a Wellbeing Freshers pack on registration which has lots of useful tips and resources, as well as links to external support services.
Alongside these provisions, Togetherall gives all ArtsEd students and staff free access to a 24/7 online global community wherever you are. It provides a safe space online to share your thoughts and to access resources and courses to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing.
On Togetherall, you are totally anonymous to other members in the community and your personal information is kept secure while you are on the site. ArtsEd will not be informed of any of your activity on Togetherall unless moderators on the platform are seriously concerned.
Many of our staff are Mental Health First Aiders, trained to be a first point of contact for students who are experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress, having initial conversations with them and supporting them to get appropriate help.
Student Wellbeing Reps are elected each year to promote awareness of mental health issues and organise regular events and fundraising activities.
Mindfulness and Yoga may be offered as part of the curriculum, providing students with regular opportunities to develop their own strategies for managing their wellbeing.
In addition to our Wellbeing Officer, each Head of Year is responsible for the pastoral care of their student cohort. Students are also each assigned a Personal Tutor who can provide support and guidance regarding their welfare and training. Personal Tutors will provide students with formal feedback following scheduled meetings in the autumn and spring terms, students should feel free to request additional meetings with their Personal Tutor if they need some advice or guidance. At weekly tutorial meetings, record forms are completed on which students keep track of their emotional welfare, as well as report any injuries or illnesses. These forms are monitored by the Head of Year, who can quickly step in to support any student who may be struggling.
ArtsEd is committed to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity and eliminating discrimination in its practices, policies and procedures. Where a student’s needs cannot be met through inclusive practice, reasonable adjustments may be recommended to ensure students are able to fully demonstrate their abilities.
Our Disability Coordinator oversees specific learning difficulty (SpLD) provision, and further support is provided by Heads of Year, supporting students with initial diagnostics and pastoral care, alongside weekly on-site group and 1-2-1 sessions with a freelance specialist SpLD learning support tutor. These sessions help SpLD students to develop confidence and autonomy in registering, retaining and recalling their learning.
All students have access to a Study Skills Tutor during term-time to provide 1-2-1 support for students who are experiencing difficulties in any area of the curriculum, for example writing, learning lines, time management and organisation, techniques to learn choreography and more. While these sessions are aimed primarily at students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and related learning difficulties, all students having issues with processing and organisation are welcome and should find regular appointments with a Study Skills Tutor of great use.
